Giving chemotherapy as a variable infusion that mimics circadian rhythms rather than as a constant infusion reduces fivefold the adverse events in patients with colorectal cancer, according to the results of a randomised trial. The technique of variable drug infusion, known as chronotherapy, may benefit all patients with cancer requiring drug therapy by improving response and tolerance, believe French researchers.

In their trial the investigators assigned 186 patients with previously untreated metastases from colorectal …